SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS TO SCOTTISH MINISTERS

23. The information that planning authorities must provide to
the Scottish Government is set out in the Notification Direction.
This is a legal requirement and it is vital that all relevant
information is provided when the application is first notified to
ensure there are no unnecessary delays in processing times and in
decision-making. Scottish Ministers' 28-day consideration period
cannot commence until all necessary information has been provided
in compliance with the terms of the direction. The following text
is intended to assist planning authorities in identifying the
information which must be provided to Ministers.

a note of the postcode for the development site where it is
not clear from the application form

(b) Environmental statement/strategic environmental
assessment

where an application has been subject to EIA, a full copy
of the environmental statement including any appendices

for 'Schedule 2' developments, a copy of any screening
opinion

where there is an SEA relevant to the proposed development,
the environmental report should be included with the
submission

(c) Appropriate assessment

a copy of any appropriate assessment by the authority under
the terms of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.)
Regulations 1994

(d) Consultation responses and representations

copies of all internal and external consultation responses,
even if all they offer is "no comment", ensuring the
respondents are clearly identified

copies of all individual letters of representation and
petitions (including details of the organiser, if known). Where
proforma letters are involved, one copy and a list of all the
other names and addresses will suffice.

A full list of names and addresses of all those who made
representation

(e) Comments on consultation responses and
representations

The committee report and/or other statement providing the
planning authority's comments on consultation responses and
representations

(f) Reasons for proposing to grant planning permission

A statement clearly explaining the reasons why the
authority proposes to grant planning permission. The statement
will usually be the committee report. But where that does not
provide a full explanation, for example, where a planning
authority decides to grant planning permission against the
advice of its officials, a separate statement of the reasons
for the decision will be needed.

Electronic submission of notification documents to
Scottish Government

24. Many planning authorities have now adopted methods for
handling planning applications electronically. With the
commencement of the e-planning project, all planning authorities
will publish application documents on their websites. The Scottish
Government would expect, wherever possible, that planning
authorities provide the information required by the Notification
Direction by means of a link, or series of links to the relevant
case files on their websites.